The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-17
s.poonmarl" before Miss Marcia arose

'DOOnmarK before MISS mdrcId drOSo
from her seat, and proceeded to clear
the breakfast table. She thought as
she washed the one cup and saucer
that in short time she would no long
er sit solitary at meals.
at will be pleasant to have some
one to talk with and take me to
church, and he's a good man, Fred
Appleyard is. Strange, il he's always
thought so much OF me, that he haln't
come over oftener, but / s'pose it's
his way. Men have odd ways.
They're different from women. won.
der what Jonas'll say. Is'pose he'll
be s prised for nobody expected he'd
marry again, anyway | didn't. and
I've been murmuring over my lonely
lot"
That evening dressed in her Second
best" gray cashmere, with pink ribbon
at her throat, n faint flush OF expect
ancy on her cheeks, Miss Marcia sat
in the sitting room before the blazing
fire waiting the arrival OF the deacon.
And sure enough rs the clock struck
seven he appeared at the door.
walk right in the sitting-room.
There's n good fire in there. Let me
help YOU of with your coat. ls'posed
it was you when | heard some one
passing awhile ago"
Deacon Appleyard wonderinely fol-
lowed Miss Marcia into the tidy sitting
room and took the easy chair before
the glowing fire, and thought howpret-
ty Marcia looked almost. ii not quite
as pretty rs in the old days OF her
girlhood, when he haI hoped and
dreamed that she mighH be nearerand
dearer than mere friend.
The GOOD man was silent so long
that Miss Marcia supposed he was
waiting for her TO speak, and nervous
ly lingering the ribbon, at her throat,
she began;
81 s'pose you're come for your an
swer, Fred. must say was surpris-
ed enough, when got your valentine
and letter this morninA still I'll tell
you the truth. You say you have an
ways loved me, it is the same with
me, cared for you years ago but
thought that you felt only friendship
for me. Ii you think ! can make you
happy, l will be glad to become your
wife"
Deacon Appleyard listened ut first
in wonder. There was some mistake,
that was evident, but OF one blisslul
part he was sure, Marcia would marry
him.and as she concluded, he took her
in his arms with the words;
al have always wanted you for my
wife. For the pastye lhave wished
/ dared speak, dear Marcia"
What happy evening they passe-.
What plans for the future were made.
Before Deacon Appleyard took his
leave that evening, he said;
LET me see the letter you received
.hs morning, Marcia"
She brought the letter and he reaC.
it, then said us he finished;
"Marcia this letter belongs to your
niece. Jonas daughter. Her name
is Marcia, too, you know. My son
Fred, has been keeping company with
her for some time. He is in Merton
now, and has sent this to her. We
must give it to her.
"And you never wrote that letter.
o, dear what a mistake made. what
must you think of me? I'm so sorry"
"Well you needn't be sorry. I'm
wonderful glad about it, and ] think
you're the best woman alivel 1t is a
blessed mistake for q man like me,
and can never feel thankful enough
that you've promised to be my vile.
IN give this letter to Marcia myself
And pretty niece Marcia must have
been well pleased with the letter, for
in two weeks there was double we'd
ding and now it would be hard to find
two happier homes in all buxton,
than the two presided over by Marcia
and her niece.